James Milton Murphy, Sr.

1SGT(Ret) James Milton Murphy, “Murphy”, died peacefully at his home in Salina, Kansas on June 4, 2026.

Murphy was born on February 7, 1937, in Martinsburg, West Virginia to parents Emory Mayo and Mable Francis (Roach) Murphy.

Soon after graduating from Martinsburg High School in 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he would spend the next 24 years. Overseas duty stations included, Korea, Panama, Vietnam and Germany. He retired from Fort Riley, Kansas in 1980 and five days later joined the Junction City Police Department where he would spend the next 18 years, retiring again in 1998. Murphy fell in love with and married Helen Hensley on September 3, 1958, at Fort Knox, Kentucky and they were married until she passed away in April 1986. He found love again and married Lisa White on March 18, 1989 in Goodland, Kansas.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Emory and Mable Murphy, his brother John Murphy, sister Mary Murphy as well as his wives Helen and Lisa Murphy.

He is survived by his children; Harold Murphy of Solomon, Kansas; James Murphy of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Anne Johnson of Apopka, Florida and Ryan Murphy of Salina Kansas. Grandchildren: Maria Murray, James Murphy, Timmy. Johnson, Erin Murphy, Sarah Murphy, Lorelai Murphy and Emmett Murphy. Great-grandchildren: Mason Murray, Brianna Murray, Adaline Johnson and Colton Johnson. Also survived by friend and caretaker, Laruen Wiedow and her children.

Murphy was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially around Milford Lake. He was an avid reader whose favorite author was Ernest Hemingway. But his first passion was baseball, a fan of the Boston Red Sox since he was a child, and who once had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates before joining the Army. He was active in a number of organizations through out his life to include; The American Legion where he was a member of the 40 and 8, the Knights of Columbus, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Johnson & Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home, Junction City, Kansas, followed by a Graveside Ceremony at Fort Riley Post Cemetery, Fort Riley, Kansas on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM.